Human Rights and The International Criminal Court

The objective of the seminar will be to explore the theoretical and practical significance of the prosecution of war criminals for the enforcement of international humanitarian law. A historical survey of international humanitarian law and the prosecution to war criminals will be considered, with emphasis on post World War II development including the International Military Tribunals (Nuremberg and Tokyo Tribunals) and the two ad hoc international criminal tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. The substantive jurisdiction and procedural law of the ad hoc criminal tribunals will be discussed, highlighting theoretical and practical problems associated with the international prosecution of war criminals. The course will conclude with a consideration of the problems associated with the establishment and working of the International Criminal Court.